To Prevent Disputes: LLA Warns Land Sellers, Buyers

The Liberia Land Authority (LLA) has commenced investigation into the long-running land dispute along the Schieffelin-Marshall Highway, warning land sellers and buyers to respect the rule of law.

According to LLA’s statement issued in Monrovia, the Schieffelin- Marshall Highway has become the epicenter of increasing waves of land disputes, resulting into violence and the destruction of property.

But the chairman of the Land Authority, Dr. Cecil T.O. Brandy, cautioned that unless these violent land conflicts are resolved, the situation will continue to threaten the country’s peace, beginning with instability in those communities.

Dr. Brandy spoke in Marshall City at the start of a two-week sensitization and awareness town hall meeting with land owners, administrators, chiefs and elders from both Schieffelin and Marshall on how government intends to amicably resolve land disputes in areas identified as “hot zones.”

In the meeting, some residents and “land owners” complained of being denied access to their land by imposters, who often brandish deadly weapons such as firearms and machetes.

Some of the land owners, administrators, chiefs and elders at the meeting in Marshall City

Dr. Brandy then reminded the public of the Act on Criminal Conveyance of Land, which was passed into law by the Legislature in 2014. This law states that anybody, who knowingly, willfully or purposely transfers or delivers something such as a right or property to another person(s) or group of persons or an institution or institutions through dishonest means will face the full force of the law.

The Land Authority has therefore called on all those claiming ownership of land within Henry Town, Kprakpacon, Caterville, Mondeh Town, Ben Town and Kpein Town along the Marshall road to immediately stop the sale of land in these areas and remain peaceful and law-abiding.

The public is also advised not to buy land in these areas, as the Land Authority is putting in place mechanisms to prevent the illegal sale of land and land dispute along the Schieffelin–Marshall Highway.

Meanwhile, the Land Authority has requested that all those who purchased land within the Schieffelin-Marshall corridor to submit copies of their deeds, and other supporting documents to the LLA offices for verification along with information on their grantors.

Liberianobserver.com is the online version of its print edition, the Daily Observer newspaper, a product of the Liberian Observer Corporation. The Daily Observer publishes a wide range of content including politics, business, sports and entertainment on and about Liberia. Follow us on social media for all the latest news and analysis.